Hannah Cowley

Date of Birth: March 14, 1743

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: March 11, 1809

Biography

Hannah Cowley was an influential English dramatist and poet of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Born on March 14, 1743, in Tiverton, Devon, England, she was the daughter of Philip Parkhouse, a bookseller. Her education was well-rounded, and her love for literature was evident from a young age. Cowley’s career as a dramatist began somewhat serendipitously when her husband, Thomas Cowley, a journalist, encouraged her to write plays. Her first play, “The Runaway,” was successfully produced at Drury Lane Theatre in 1776, marking the start of a prolific writing career. Cowley is best known for her comedy “The Belle’s Stratagem” (1780), which remains a staple of English theatre and has been revived multiple times. Her works often focused on strong, intelligent female characters and critiqued societal norms, particularly the roles and expectations of women. Despite the challenges faced by women in the literary field during her time, Cowley’s plays were well-received, and she enjoyed considerable success. After her husband’s death in 1797, Cowley retired from playwriting and spent her remaining years in relative obscurity until her death on March 11, 1809, in Tiverton. Her contributions to English literature, particularly in comedy, have left a lasting legacy.

5 Interesting Facts about Hannah Cowley

1. Hannah Cowley’s first play, “The Runaway,” was accepted for performance at Drury Lane Theatre within weeks of her submitting it.

2. “The Belle’s Stratagem” was one of the most popular comedies of its time and has been frequently revived in modern theatre.

3. Cowley was one of the few female playwrights of her era to achieve commercial success.

4. She wrote a total of 13 plays, most of which were performed in prominent London theatres.

5. Despite her success, Cowley’s later years were spent away from the public eye, and she did not publish any new works after 1794.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hannah Cowley

1. “The mind, when once it is freed from the influence of external circumstances, is capable of any thing.”

2. “I never knew a fool that took himself for one.”

3. “The more one knows of the world, the more one is convinced that there is no truth, no sincerity, no faith in any.”

4. “Women are born with a title to their husband’s fortune, but not to his understanding.”

5. “A woman’s heart is like a lute, always in the right tune when a man touches it properly.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As financial records from the 18th century are not as detailed, Hannah Cowley’s highest net worth is not precisely documented. However, given her success, it is believed she was relatively well-off for a woman of her time.

Children

Hannah Cowley had two children with her husband Thomas Cowley: a son, Thomas, and a daughter, Harriet. Both children survived into adulthood, but little is known about their lives.